On the 2nd of January, 2015, Morgan Slaight, who was then 27, shot her two sons, aged eight and six respectively, at point-blank range before shooting herself. Slaight was a recovering methamphetamine addict who had clinical depression.
She and her husband Tyler, who was also a recovering meth addict, had separated and were living apart from each other. During a depressive episode on the 22nd of December 2014, Slaight threatened to kill herself, prompting her to be admitted to Winnebago Mental Health Institute.
However, she was released a day before the murder-suicide. Slaight used a .22-caliber handgun to commit the deed. Her six-year-old son, Jaxon Slaight, passed away immediately, and Slaight herself died instantly too.
Meanwhile, eight-year-old Joey Slaight was rushed to the hospital, but doctors expect him to die in a few days. Miraculously, he did not, and he fought to stay alive. Still, doctors and neurosurgeons predicted that due to a large injury sustained to the left side of the brain, Joey would face disorders and medical impediments for the rest of his life.
But a year after the incident, his recovery spoke for itself. He did have developmental disabilities, but he spoke in full sentences, could solve puzzles, ran and jumped like any normal boy, and spent his free time playing Nintendo Wii games. It baffled doctors.
Now, three years after the murder-suicide, Joey is finally well enough to return home, now 11 years old and eager to continue his life as normally as possible. His father continues to work on recovering from addiction, so Joey will be living with his aunt for the time being.
He has yet to be informed that his brother and mother have passed away, and the family hopes to take things slowly with him.
